Frequently Asked Questions
What does an assessment for an
EPC involve? Firstly, an accredited energy assessor needs to visit a property to conduct an energy site
survey. During the survey, information is collected including details of dimensions, construction and heating/cooling/hot
water/ventilation provision. Secondly, the data is processed by approved software (either RDSAP or SBEM) to complete the energy
assessment and then produce EPC's.
How long will it take to perform an energy inspection?The time taken to perform
an on site energy inspection will vary according to the size and complexity of the property. A domestic energy inspection
would normally take 30-40 minutes. A commercial building or a public building inspection would generally take up to 4 hours.
What's the
main difference between an EPC and a DEC?
- Ratings.
Buildings require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if it is sold, built or let. An EPC rating shows the performance
of the building’s fabric and fixed services - this is called as the Asset Rating. By contrast a DEC rating shows how
well the occupier is using energy within last 12 months and trend over the last three years - this is named as the Operational
Rating.
- Responsibility. An EPC should be offered by
the landlord, but a DEC should be obtained by the building occupiers.
- Display.
An EPC is normally shown by the owner to prospective tenants or buyers of a property. A DEC must be placed in a prominent
place clearly visible to the public.
- Validity.
An EPC is valid for 10 years. A DEC is valid for only 1 year and needs to be renewed annually.
What happens if my building gets a low rating?
This
indicates the building could be more energy efficient. During the inspection a number of recommendations to improve the
energy efficiency will be identified. Implementation of these could not only increase your rating and reduce carbon emissions
but also save you money on energy bills. It is up to you whether you implement the recommendations or not.
If you have any
more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us . Our friendly professional team will help you.
Phone: 01223 706692 Mobile: 0770 48 567 48
